Love Takes Miles
Illustration by Meghan Zhang.
Lately I haven’t been able to get over the term, “love takes miles.” I think part of my obsession over the words stems from the fact that I can’t write anything as succinct as that.The entire turmoil of a relationship seemed to be explained in a mere 3 words, 3 words that I never thought of piecing together before. 3 words that tell everyone how much work it truly takes to like someone. I think it overwhelms me, I think a part of me hates the waiting, but another part knows I’ve done it for so long already. I’ve waited 20 years, and yet now I no longer want to stand still. I no longer want to do that, since I met someone who was worth waiting for in the first place. The words don’t come to my mouth nearly as fast as they did in melancholy. I mean, how foreign could it be to truly be this happy? I always thought it would be embarrassing to write the words that lay in my head every time I hear his voice. Every time I get the privilege of having even a second with him, I don’t know how to not bite back the never ending escalator of: ‘I really like you,” or even worse, “I need you,” and “I want to be with you.” Writing words of affirmation really seems like it could only ever bite me in the ass later. But I can’t seem to get over it. I've met a boy who makes me want to rush into everything even after every guy before him told me the opposite. Love takes miles but I only have inches left to give.
Love takes miles and all I want is far away.
I believe that feelings shove you around. Feelings are careless and feelings are rough. My feelings for him have only beaten me to a pulp. They are immense, and they are daunting, but I am not scared of them. Because being with him doesn’t scare me at all, being with him feels like I should thank every punch that comes my way. Love kills you, it bruises and stabs. Love makes you want to pack it all up and leave but I don’t feel like running away right now. I hate waiting, but if he needed miles I'd stretch the inches of my anticipation into the length of a million football fields. If he needed time, I’d give him centuries. It’s true, love makes you want to drive away but I think the only destination on my mind is the one that lets me continue being with him. The one where he is.
Love takes miles but I would walk it all day long for him.